It reminded him of his younger days, before his sensei Boha had adopted him. Since he was such an outcast, he usually attempted to harness the wild forest. He had never encountered a phanxor back then because he had not known what they were, and had adapted easily to become fearless. Only when he was educated by Boha did he refrain from going out at night.

However, now, he found peace. He was stronger than he was before, so he had returned to that fearless state that he missed dearly. After half an hour, Efy decided to get some rest. It was incredibly dangerous so he hid his temporary base within the tall grass. It was not special, just a roof of leaves connected between two nearby trees. The ground he would lay on was shredded to dirt, with the human sized grass blades becoming his walls. He sat down against a tree with one knee arched and promptly drifted to sleep.

…

…

…

“The target is currently resting, looks like this will be too easy. Neutralise him.”

“Aren't we just going to steal his items?”

“Usually. But it's been far too long since I've licked someone's blood.”

“...”

A mysterious shadow, flipped from a tree branch and landed in the evergreen pastures. All sounds were kept to a minimum as he danced effortlessly towards Efy's shelter. He successfully snuck beside Efy's body, gently searching Efy's pockets in hopes to feel a familiar round sphere. Quite advanced in the arts of thievery he was, barely creating excess movements that could disturb a slumber. He then pulled out a flask with a nasty yellow hue, tinting the glass. It marked ‘’Paralysis: 1 minute”

He pulled out the stub, opening the flask and slowly tilted the bottle, not wanting to waste too much.

Suddenly, his target moved. It was all too swift to even make a sound to alert his comrades.

-

Efy had known of the man long after he had arrived. His sixth sense was a passive skill, which worked even while he slept. Although it was not as powerful as Choppo's, who could probably detect the man long before arrival, it was still effective.

Efy had remained silent, keeping his eyelids closed and focusing on his senses to figure out what the man had planned. He heard a sound of a stub being pulled out a container of some sort, presumed to be a potion. He then waited until the man was about to pour the fluid onto him, which would alarm his sixth sense. As soon as he felt it, he immediately flicked a finger, launching a pebble onto the rim of the potion. The force and precision knocked the bottle backwards, splashing half of its contents onto the stranger who was now paralysed.

Efy looked at him with the eyes of mercilessness. He quickly grabbed several arrows and launched them into the man's arms and legs, pinning him to the floor. It was impossible to tell if it was painful, as he was in an awakened coma state.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Out of nowhere, two slashes struck from behind, but only managed to slice air. Three figures emerged from the dense shadows, the area too emptied of light to see in anymore detail.

“You guys stay here. I want to test the small fry myself.”

The third and last figure stepped forward, pushing the other two behind. They were all of similar height, around 170 centimetres. In response to this, Efy stood guard, patiently waiting for his opponent to make the first move.

He felt it. Efy had felt the attack, yet he could not react in time to dodge it properly. A nasty cut appeared on Efy's left thigh.

“Surprising. I was aiming for the waist…” the man praised.

When did he? Did he even move? If I had only relied on my five senses I'd be in two halves as of now. Who is he? Why is he so powerful? Efy had not much time to dwell in his thoughts, a second slash slicing Efy's arm, which blocked the original trajectory, his head.

Efy examined his target carefully, spotting a sword on his waist. That confirms it, he's not just willing a slash into existence, but was just extremely agile.

“Haha that perplexed look on your face has disappeared. No, I'm not using my sword. You were right the first time.”

This person was blatantly reading Efy's thoughts as if he's used to people's confusions.

Shhk!

Another cut formed on Efy's body. Efy was severely outmatched, he had gotten so much more powerful yet he was still so far. Who was this person? He couldn't check his rank because he had not known his name, but his face would suffice. The two were now in sword's range so he could see the guy's low-cut brown hair. Naturally, Efy saw his face as well.

“Rank #10: Mettal Daqua”

Efy was stunned at this discovery. He was not as strong as he had previously thought.

He was next to death, one wrong move and his life was over. Mettal was aiming for the kill every time, but Efy always managed to respond in time.

Efy had his back against a wall, walking backwards in fear, all of his body was telling him to leave or he would die. Could I pick up some rocks from behind and hit him? I'd have to be very discreet but it may grant an opening…

Efy did as he thought, utilising some small rocks on the ground to hit Mettal on his back, but he did not even get distracted one bit. He walked forward menacingly to close the gap.

Wait, why is he coming closer? Does he not believe he can render a slash out of his natural range? That would be something difficult to imagine, let alone fully believe. Efy stepped back in response.

“Oh? At least you're not an idiot. You've really figured me out. I can only create cuts slightly outside of my natural range with a sword.”

Efy let out a sigh of relief, he had a chance now…

Right?

“However, as you thought previously, I am in fact a swordsman. I am even more potent with my sword than with my invisible slashes. Please, entertain me.”

Mettal took out his sword and held it with two hands in front of his torso. It was a long and thin sword. The blade was silver-white except for the tip, which was crimson. This resembled the hilt, blood-red in support of the colour scheme.

While he was unsheathing, Efy had taken the chance to take out his 20 long-swords. He wished to spare no strength when dealing with a behemoth.

“Are you ready?” Mettal asked with a kind smile. It was frightening–that smile. It felt ingenuine.

“S-sure?” Efy responded uncertainly.

Mettal let out a slight chuckle and dashed towards Efy.